2. News Room

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DWD, Milwaukee County Zoo Celebrate Graduation of Nine Local Project SEARCH Interns

Collaborative Program Prepares Young Adults with Disabilities for Rewarding Careers

MILWAUKEE – Ariana Craft learned many new work and life skills during her internship rotations at the Milwaukee County Zoo's Visitor Services, Environmental Services, and Horticulture departments. But one of the biggest things she took away from Project SEARCH was learning how to be confident.

"This is a program that gives you new experiences to learn and try each day that you're here," she said.

Following graduation, Craft is looking forward to continuing her travel and photography hobbies and finding a job working with the elderly or setting up special events.

"Project SEARCH is a proven program that not only benefits program graduates, but Wisconsin businesses and communities all around the state," DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek said. "Nearly 200 Project SEARCH interns are graduating this program year after many months of rewarding work to develop skills and explore new opportunities. We congratulate them and are proud of them and their achievements."

The graduation ceremony at the Zoofari Center on Friday, June 2, marked the completion of a nine- to 12-month immersive work experience. The interns recounted their hands-on experiences and talked about their future career opportunities.

Milwaukee County Zoo Director Amos Morris Jr. shared how impactful the Project SEARCH program has been on the Zoo, saying "I see these interns out in the park every day and they're always working, they're busy, and they're happy. To come to a place where individuals are happy fills me with joy."

In addition to the host site and DWD's vocational rehabilitation division, the local internship experience was made possible by partners including the Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) 1, Goodwill Industries of Southeast Wisconsin, TMG Wisconsin-IRIS, My Choice, and Community Care. Statewide, 28 premier employers are participating in Project SEARCH this year.

DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation oversees Project SEARCH statewide and has supported the program with funding, coordination and technical assistance. The state division also provides vocational counseling and support to program participants.

Project SEARCH is a collaborative effort among state vocational rehabilitation agencies, area schools, local employers, and long-term care organizations to help interns acquire marketable, competitive, and transferable skills that lead to employment. The interns complete multiple 10-week rotations to maximize exposure to different career paths and learn employability skills in a classroom and hands-on job skills within the business environment.

Started at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1996, Project SEARCH has provided workforce training to approximately 1,500 Wisconsin residents since its statewide launch in 2008. For more, visit Project SEARCH Wisconsin.

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Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.